Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-03-29
GENERAL p. z. cONNOR.
Biographical Sketch by Il. HI
Bancroft, the Pacific Coast
Historian.
A. B. CARLTON,
Chairman.

Biographical Sketch by Il. H.
Bancroft, the Pacific Coast
Historian.
Continued From Yesterdays Second Editionl
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF UTAH,
CAMP DOUGLAS, Q. T., Feb. 9th, 1863. !
Colonel: have the honor to report that
from information received from various
sources. of the encampment of alarge body
of Indians on Bear River, in Washington
Territory, one hundred and forty miles
| north of this point, who had murdered sew
eral miners during the winter, passing to and
| from the settlements IN this valley to the
| Beaver Head mines, east of the Rocky Noun
| tains, and being satisfied that they were
part of the same band who had been MUIR
| dering Immigrants on the Overland Mail
route for the past fifteen years and the
| principal actors and leaders in the horrid
massacres of the past summer,I determined
although the season was unfavorable for an
expedition, in consequence of the cold
weather and deep snow, to chastise them il
| possible. Feeling that secrecy was the
| surest way to success, | determined to de-
ceive the indians by sending a small force
in advance, Judging, and rightly, that they
would not fear a small number.
| The chiefs, Pocatillo and Sanpitch, with
1
l hope to be able to kill or capture them be.
| fore spring. If l succeed the Overland Mail
route west of the Rocky Mountains will be
rid of the Bedouins who have harrassed and
murdered immigrants on that route for a
series of years.
In consequence of the number of men
| left on the route with frozen feet and those
with the train and howitzerf and guarding
| the cavalry horses, did not have to exceed
| two hundred men engaged.
On the 22d ult. l ordered Company K,
| Third Infantry, California Volunteers, Cap
| tain Hoyt; two hOwitZerS under command OF
| Lieutenant Honeyman and twelve men of
| the Second California Cavalry with a train
| of fifteen wagons, conveying twelve days
supplies, to proceed in that direction. On
| the 24th ultimo | proceeded with detach-
ments from companies A, H, K, and M Sec
ond California Cavalry; Surgeon Reid,
| Third California Volunteers; Captains Nc
| Lean and Price, and Lieutenants Chase,
Quinn and Conrad, Second California
| Cavalry. Major Gallagher, Third California
Volunteers and Captain Berry, Second Cali
| fornia Cavalry, who were present at this
| post attending general court martial as
| volunteers, leaving Colonel George S. Evans
I'd California Cavalry in command at Camp
Douglas.
marched the first night to Brigham City
about sixty-three miles distant; and the
| second nights march from Camp Douglas,
l overlook the Infantry and artillery at the
| town of Mendon and ordered them to march
again that night. [ resumed march with
| the cavalry and overlook the infantry at
Franklin, W. T., about twelve miles from
the Indian encampment. AS daylight was
approaching l was apprehensive that the In
dams would discover the strength of my
force and make their escape. l therefore
made rapid march with the cavalry and
reached the bank of Bear River shortly af-
| ter daylight, in full view of the Indian en-
campment, and about one mile distant, |
Immediately ordered Major McGarry to ad-
vance with the cavalry and surround before
attacking them, while l remainded a few
minutes in the rear to give orders to the in
fantry and artillery. On my arrival on the
field found that Major McGarry had dis
mounted the cavalry and was engaged with
the Indians, who had sailed out of their
hiding places on foot and horseback and,
with tendish malignity, waved the scalps of
white women, and challenged the troops to
battle, at the same time attacking them.
Finding it impossible to surround them in
consequence of the nature of the ground, he
accepted their challenge.
The position of the Indians was one of
strong natural defense, and almost inacces-
sible to the troops, being in a deep, dry
ravine from six to twelve feet deep, and from
banks and running across level tableland,
along which they had constructed steps
from which they could deliver their fire
without being themselves exposed. Under
the embankment they had constructed
artificial courses of willows, thickly woYe
together, from which they could fire without
being observed.
l found that it was impossible to dislodge
them without great loss of life. 1 accord
ingly ordered Major McGarry, with twenty
men, to turn their left flank which was in
the ravine where it entered the mountain.
Shortly afterwards Captain Hoyt reached
the ford, three-fourths of a mile distant, but
found it impossible to cross the footmen,
some of whom tried it, however, rushing
into the river but finding it deep, retired
l Immediately ordered a detachment of
cavalry with led horses to cross the infantry,
which was done accordingly and upon their
arrival on the field l ordered them to the
support of Major McGarry's thanking party
who shortly afterward succeeded in turning
the enemy's flank.
Up to this time, IN consequence of being
exposed on a level and open plain, while the
Indians were under cover, they had the adj
vantage of us, fighting with the ferocity of
demons. My men fell thick and fast around
me, but after thanking them we had the ad-
vantage and made good use of it. ordered
q thanking party to advance down the rayine
on either side, which gave US the advantage
of an lntiiading fire and caused some of the
Indians to give way and run toward the
mouth OF the ravlne. At this point had a
company stationed, who shot them as they
ran out. l also ordered detachment of
cavalry across the ravine to cut off the re-
treat of any fugitives who might escape the
company Captain PRICE, at the month of
the ravine. But few, however, tried to es-
cape, but continues fighting with unyield- |
ing obstinacy, frequently engaging hand to |
hand with troops until killed in their hid |
ing places. The most of those who did es- |
cape from the ravine were afterwards shot |
in attempting to swim the river or killed |
while desperately fighting under cover of !
the dense willow thicket which lined the /
river banks. To give you an idea of the I
desperate character of the fight, you are re-
3pectfully referred to the list of killed and
wounded transmitted herewith. The fight
about o'clock in the morning
and continued until 10. At the commence
nent of the battle, the hands of some of
he men were so benumbed with cold that
t was with difficulty that they could load
heir pieces. Their suffering during the !
march was awful beyond description, but
hey steadily continued without regard to
hunger, cold or thirst, not murmur es-
,apIng them to indicate their sensibilities
o pain or fatigue. Their accomplishing
nduranea during their four nights march
rom Camp Douglass to the battlefield. is
worthy of the highest praise. The weather
vas intensely cold and not less than
twenty-five lad their feet frozen and some
# them, | fear, will be crippled for life.
should mention here, that in my march
rom the post, no assistance was rendered
y the Mormons, who seemed indisposed to
lvulge any information regarding the In
lans and charged enormous prices for every
rtlcle furnished my command. 1 have also
report to the General commanding, that